Graphic Designer salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Graphic Designers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $60,150 a year ($28.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 570 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,230 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $62,960. Pay here is 17% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $72,310. There are 0.75 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $65,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,940 | $17.76 |
| 25th percentile | $45,720 | $21.98 |
| Median | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| 75th percentile | $79,110 | $38.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,230 | $48.19 |
| Average (mean) | $65,450 | $31.47 |
Half of graphic designers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,012.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,506.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,313.46 |
| Weekly | $1,156.73 |
| Hourly | $28.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,150 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Graphic Designer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $85,420 | 4,420 |
| Richmond, VA | $66,350 | 760 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $63,580 | 370 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $62,450 | 60 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $61,700 | 160 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $61,700 | 1,040 |
| Roanoke, VA | $60,120 | 150 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $59,810 | 1,640 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $58,230 | 30 |
| Burlington, NC | $56,990 | 70 |
| Asheville, NC | $56,760 | 240 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $56,630 | n/a |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $56,410 | 30 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $55,240 | 470 |
| Greenville, NC | $54,860 | 70 |
| Wilmington, NC | $54,720 | 260 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $53,310 | 70 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $52,070 | 30 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $50,540 | 140 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $50,230 | 30 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $49,920 | 270 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $49,570 | 100 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $49,160 | 130 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $49,020 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for graphic designers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $87,920 |
| Rhode Island | $78,220 |
| New York | $77,340 |
| Massachusetts | $76,710 |
| California | $75,130 |
| Maryland | $75,120 |
| New Jersey | $73,790 |
| Washington | $72,710 |
| Connecticut | $72,700 |
| Virginia | $72,310 |
See Graphic Designer pay in every state or the Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $42,470 | $20.42 |
| Interior Designer | $59,920 | $28.81 |
| Floral Designer | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| Art Director | $93,270 | $44.84 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $78,430 | $37.71 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $73,890 | $35.52 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $44,810 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $56,730 | $27.28 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $53,960 | $25.94 |
| Technical Writer | $79,340 | $38.14 |
| Editor | $59,570 | $28.64 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $47,160 | $22.67 |
| Photographer | $42,210 | $20.29 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-1024. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a graphic designer make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for graphic designers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $60,150 a year, or $28.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of graphic designers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $100,230 a year. The top 25% earn $79,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,940 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $45,720 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 570 graphic designers are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.